JULIAN
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The town's Country Christmas celebration has been expanded this year to include entertainment and special activities before the lighting of the 80-foot tree in Pioneer Park.

The arrival of Santa, on a fire engine with lights flashing and sirens blaring, will conclude the day's festivities.

Sandi Bennett, who is in charge of the program for the sponsoring Julian Merchants Association, scheduled Christmas readings between musical presentations by Garnette Riney and the Strolling Carolers. There also will be a preview of “A Christmas Carol,” which Kinney Productions will run from Dec. 1 to 23 in Julian Town Hall.

Master of ceremonies Scott Kinney will read excerpts from “A Child's Christmas in Wales,” a short story by Dylan Thomas. Librarian Colleen Baker and her Julian branch staff will assist youngsters with decorating Christmas cookies.

A Living Nativity vignette will be staged at Julian Cider Mill, 2103 Main St., following the tree lighting. It will continue at dusk every Saturday through Dec. 22.

At 5 p.m., there will be a tribute to the local volunteer fire department and other fire-protection agencies, the Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol.

“We want them to know how much the entire town appreciates everything they did for us during the recent fires and all during the year,” said Tracy Turner, president of Julian Merchants Association.

At 6 p.m., Dawn Glass, the association's merchant of the year, will flip the switch that turns on the holiday lights adorning the 80-foot pine tree. Santa will arrive soon after, allowing for plenty of time for visits with his young fans.

DETAILS

Julian Country Christmas

When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Pioneer Park, Fourth and Washington streets, Julian

Admission: Free

Information: (760) 765-4758

Most stores will stay open until 8 p.m. to give visitors time for shopping after the tree-lighting ceremony, Turner said.

Volunteers have turned out for several days along Main Street, decorating the exterior of businesses. “We couldn't do it without our volunteers,” Turner said.

Planning sessions are held months in advance, but everything gets done in the final couple of weeks, Turner said.

“We have as many people out there as we can get, hanging garland and putting up lights,” she said.

Mike Menghini and Ed Glass take charge of decorating the tree and placing strings of lights across the tops of buildings with the use of an 85-foot portable boom.

Turner said there will be warming stations, with hot chocolate and warm cider, set up in the park and one block away at Cabbages & Kings, 2216 Main St.